Apparatus for protecting nuclear-warfare shelters and industrial areas

ABSTRACT

A system for protecting geographical regions against rocket attack from rockets automatically controlled by photographic representations of the region wherein the surrounding area is varied from a pictorial point of view by continuously movable colored surfaces carried by conveyors, carriages or moving rods.

United States Patent Inventor Bruno Szytter Kathe-Dorsch-Ring 12, 1 Berlin 47, Germany Appl. No. 739,514 Filed June 24, 1968 Patented Oct. 5, 1971 Priority June 29, 1967 Germany P 15 78 354.7

APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING NUCLEAR- WARFARE SHELTERS AND INDUSTRIAL AREAS 8 Claims, 17 Drawing Figs.

11.5. CI 104/1 Int. Cl B6lb 1/00,

F41h 3/00, F41h 13/00 Field of Search 238/8, 9;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,483,829 12/1969 Barry 104/88 2,980,034 4/1961 Harty 238/8 3 ,404,638 10/ l 968 Edwards 104/ l 39 Primary Examiner-Arthur L. La Point Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Bertsch Attorney--Karl F. Ross PATH-HEB EDT 51% SHEET 1 [IF 8 Fig. 7

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APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING NUCLEAR-WARFARE SIIIIELTERS AND INDUSTRIAL AREAS The invention relates to an apparatus for protecting nuclear-warfare shelters, military objects, centers of industry and similar objects against strike by rockets automatically controlled from photographs.

The invention is intended to protect the aforementioned objects against such strike rockets. The solution to the problem as laid out in the invention involves a system whereby the surroundings of the area to be protected are varied from a pictorial point of view by colored surfaces which vary continuously in their color and which are carried by railroad cars, conveyor belts and moving lines of various colors or similar devices, the term line implying rods which are surrounded by fibrous material.

The wagons carrying the colored surfaces are best conveyed on rails. The points, intersections and similar devices arranged in the system are included to permit the course of the cars to be varied.

The colored surfaces which are yellow, black, red and blue, formed by sheets, each of a single color, can be stored, in accordance with the invention, one on top of the other in suitable rooms. They can be removed and laid on the wagon or returned to the store by means of a hoist.

The colored surfaces can each be formed from a supporting frame which is best constructed of supporting tubes of light alloy with transverse rods to prevent sagging. The rods are provided with radially arranged fibers which are flocculent and thus pervious to wind.

The invention also provides for a series of surfaces of different colors placed one behind the other on an arrangement constructed in the form of a conveyor belt so that, on operation of the conveyor belt, surfaces of various colors are set in motion one behind the other. This arrangement is best constructed in such a manner that part of the system is arranged above ground while the other part is beneath the ground. The invention, however, also provides for a trough-shaped frame constructed of metal or concrete to support rods surrounded with fibers of different colors, the rods being designed in such a manner that they can be rotated or oscillated about their longitudinal axes.

The fibrous areas of different colors extending from a central rod can be separated from one another by radial opaque plates extending from the central rod, these being preferably constructed of plastic and colored to accord with the contained compartments.

Further details of the invention can be seen from the embodiments shown in the drawing in which:

FIG. 1 represents an elevational view of an object protected in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a building for storing colored surfaces;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a colored surface formed by a supporting frame;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a rod surrounded by flocculent fibers;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of several supporting frames with folding side sections;

FIG. 6 shows an elevational view of various supporting frames placed on carriages, some with hinged-over side sections in accordance with FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a conveyor belt arrangement in section;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a trough-shaped frame;

FIG. 9 shows an elevational view of the trough-shaped frame in accordance with FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a modification of the assembly shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. II is an enlarged sectional partial view of the trough shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 with rods inserted in accordance with FIG. 10 with fibers of various colors;

FIG. 12 shows schematically a drive for turning the fibercoated rods in accordance with FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a carriage with a surface in accordance with FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of the carriage shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 14a is a sectional view of a further embodiment;

FIG. 15 shows schematically an elevational view of an important industrial area protected in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 16 shows a view of a large city provided with camouflage in accordance with the invention as per FIG. 15.

With reference to FIG. 1, the object 1 to be protected is a nuclear-warfare shelter situated beside a shed 2 for loading and unloading trains. The shelter 1 and the shed 2 are surrounded by a rail network 3 with points 4 and intersections 5. The arrangement is protected by one or several trains running continuously. The individual trains are composed of various cars. The trains are loaded and unloaded in the shed 2 with colored surfaces as described in more detail below. The speed of the trains lies between about 2 and 4 miles per hour. A computer which is not includedin the drawing controls the speed of the train, its direction, arrival and departure, as well as the setting of the points. The wagons of the train are equipped with accumulators and electronic receivers. The whole system is preferably constructed in such a manner that is is independent of an external power supply, i.e. of the usual utility mains.

The rails are preferably overlaid with covers. The covers are removed automatically to the side on approach of the train. After the train has passed, the rails are covered again automatically. The covers of the rails must be matched in color to the surroundings.

The shed 2 shown in FIG. 1 can serve as the building shown in FIG. 2. A computer 5 is accommodated in the roof. A mobile crane 6 serves to lift out the stored frames 7. Above the support 8 for the stored frames 7 is shown a flatcar 9 which is loaded and unloaded by the crane 6.

The frames 7 are shown in FIG. 3. They consist of supporting tubes 9 constructed of light alloy with transverse rods 10. The supporting frame accommodates colored rods (lines) 11 laid one beside the other; theirconstruction will be described below. The length and breadth of the frame may amount to 20 m. The rods may be yellow, red, black or blue. Each frame is of a single color. The aforementioned rods 11 consist of a central rod 12 provided with radially arranged colored fibers 13. The side sections of the support frames 7, 9 and 10 can be folded as can be seen in FIG. 5. As is seen in FIG. 6, trains of various configurations can be produced.

The conveyor-belt arrangement shown in FIG. 7 permits the successive emplacement of various colors at a particular moment the color yellow, designated 14, is passing above at the center. The color red designated 15 follows and so forth. The visible colored area is approximately I00 m. long; the system rotates at the required speed and is controlled by a computer 16 not shown in greater detail.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a metal or concrete trough l8 supported on base blocks 17. The trough contains rods in accordance with FIG. 10. These are rotated to vary the color from yellow to black, blue and red.

FIG. 10 is a modification of the arrangement shown in FIG. 4. This device also incorporates a central rod 12 with radially projecting colored fibers 13. These fibers 13 are grouped in four individual colored sections which are separated by opaque plastic plates 19 projecting from the central rod I2. The plates 19 can be cut out near the central rod in order to lower the resistance to ground winds etc.

FIG. 11 shows colored rods in accordance with FIG. 10 laid one beside the other in a trough in accordance with FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 represents an arrangement for changing the colors of the individual rods. The change is brought about via toothed wheels acting on a suitable gear rack.

FIG. 13 shows a fiatcar on wheels which runs over a smooth surface. With this arrangement the rails are omitted and the area in question is flattened. Trains with a given number of cars operate within this area. After the area is flattened it should be camouflaged to match the surroundings. Each car of a train is equipped with an electric motor and an electronic receiver which carries out the orders given by a computer.

The direction, speed, color and number of cars of a train are controlled by the computer.

The rods which are shown as points can be rotated by a system in accordance with FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an elevational view of a train. A housing with an electric motor is provided on the right-hand side. Four-color square rods are provided which are prevented from sagging by light alloy bars. The horizontal lines within the trucks indicate the rods. The vertical lines represent the light alloy bars.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are elevational views of an industrial center and a whole city protected in accordance with the invention, the protective arrangements being represented by rectangles designated 21 in FIG. 15. Arrangements in accordance with FIG. I or FIG. 13 can be provided at 24.

FIG. 16 incorporates a waterway 21, a railway station 22 and a railway line 23.

FIG. 14a shows a slightly concave base 24 which can be provided with drainage holes. It is supported by pillars 25. Slightly inclined covers 26 are also provided. A width of e.g. red plastic 28 can be wound on the roller 27. At the time instant represented in the figure the width is unrolled. The rollers 29, 30 and 31 carry similar rolls of blue, black and yellow plastic respectively. These plastic widths of different colors can be unrolled instead of the red width 28. In such circumstances the plastic width 28 must be coiled up on the roller 27 What I claim is:

l. A system for protecting geographical sites, including nuclear-warfare shelters, military objectives andindustrial centers, against attack from rockets automatically controlled by photographic images recording a normal coloration pattern of a geographical site, said system comprising storage means in the environs of the site and provided with a stack of flat varicolored members with colored surfaces viewable from above; a rail network in the environs of said site, displacement means including at least one carriage rollingly mounted on said rail network and carrying said members to confuse the image-controlled rocket; and with means for transferring said members successively from said stack onto said carriage.

2. The system defined in claim I, wherein said colored surfaces each comprise a support frame composed of a light metal alloy, and a multiplicity of colored rods disposed one beside another and spanning said frame.

3. The system defined in claim 2 wherein each of said rods consists substantially of a central rod member and a multiplicity of radial colored fibers affixed to said rod member.

4. The system defined in claim 2 wherein each of said support frames is provided with a side section hinged thereto and enabling folding of the frame into a plurality of configurations.

5. The system defined in claim I wherein said displacement means includes at least one conveyor belt having an upper pass exposed from above, said surfaces being disposed upon said conveyor belt, said upper pass of said conveyor belt being located above grade and the remainder of said conveyor belt being located below grade.

6. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said surfaces each comprise a generally trough-shaped frame and a multiplicity of varicolored rods spanning said frame, said rods each being formed along its periphery with a multiplicity of fibers of different color, said displacement means including means for shifting said rods to expose different color patterns from above.

7. The system defined in claim 6 wherein said rods each comprise a central rod member and a plurality of angularly spaced fiber sections having fibers of different coloration attached to said rod member and extending radially therefrom, and a plurality of radial opaque plates extending radially from said rod member and separating said sections from one another, said plates having surfaces bordering the respective sections of the same coloration as the fibers thereof.

8. The system defined in claim I further comprising cover means removably concealing said rail network, and means for automatically removing said cover means upon use of said rail network to transport said carriage. 

1. A system for protecting geographical sites, including nuclear-warfare shelters, military objectives and industrial centers, against attack from rockets automatically controlled by photographic images recording a normal coloration pattern of a geographical site, said system comprising storage means in the environs of the site and provided with a stack of flat varicolored members with colored surfaces viewable from above; a rail network in the environs of said site, displacement means including at least one carriage rollingly mounted on said rail network and carrying said members to confuse the image-controlled rocket; and with means for transferring said members successively from said stack onto said carriage.
 2. The system defined in claim 1, wherein said colored surfaces each comprise a support frame composed of a light metal alloy, and a multiplicity of colored rods disposed one beside another and spanning said frame.
 3. The system defined in claim 2 wherein each of said rods consists substantially of a central rod member and a multiplicity of radial colored fibers affixed to said rod member.
 4. The system defined in claim 2 wherein each of said support frames is provided with a side section hinged thereto and enabling folding of the frame into a plurality of configurations.
 5. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said displacement means includes at least one conveyor belt having an upper pass exposed from above, said surfaces being disposed upon said conveyor belt, said upper pass of said conveyor belt being located above grade and the remaindEr of said conveyor belt being located below grade.
 6. The system defined in claim 1 wherein said surfaces each comprise a generally trough-shaped frame and a multiplicity of varicolored rods spanning said frame, said rods each being formed along its periphery with a multiplicity of fibers of different color, said displacement means including means for shifting said rods to expose different color patterns from above.
 7. The system defined in claim 6 wherein said rods each comprise a central rod member and a plurality of angularly spaced fiber sections having fibers of different coloration attached to said rod member and extending radially therefrom, and a plurality of radial opaque plates extending radially from said rod member and separating said sections from one another, said plates having surfaces bordering the respective sections of the same coloration as the fibers thereof.
 8. The system defined in claim 1 further comprising cover means removably concealing said rail network, and means for automatically removing said cover means upon use of said rail network to transport said carriage. 